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The link between obesity and prostate cancer: the leptin pathway and therapeutic perspectives

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 9, pages 19–24 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Obesity-associated prostate cancer (PCa) remains controversial, although most studies rely on body mass index evaluation, which is an indirect measure of fatness. Studies using body fat measurement and disease stratification according to PCa stage found stronger associations between obesity and PCa.

Leptin is a pleiotrophic hormone mainly synthesized by adipocytes that acts in peripheral organs such as the prostate. This article reviews obesity-associated leptin's pathophysiological role in PCa progression. PCa development results from some known risk factors. Currently, there is enough evidence suggesting that leptin is an additional factor involved in advanced PCa occurrence, and obesity association with high-grade disease. Life-long exposure to genetic and/or environmental susceptibility factors that predispose to obesity and higher leptin levels may increase the risk for advanced PCa.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge funding of this work by the Minister of Health of Portugal (Comissão de Fomento da Investigação em Cuidados de Saúde: CFICS- 226/01). We thank the Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro-Centro Regional do Norte (Portuguese League Against Cancer), Astra Zeneca Foundation and Yamanouchi European Foundation for their support.

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  1. Molecular Oncology – CI, Oncology Portuguese Institute, Porto, Portugal

    R Ribeiro, C Lopes & R Medeiros

  2. ICBAS, Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences, Porto, Portugal

    R Ribeiro, C Lopes & R Medeiros

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Ribeiro, R., Lopes, C. & Medeiros, R. The link between obesity and prostate cancer: the leptin pathway and therapeutic perspectives. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 9, 19–24 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500844

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